VIZAG: The ocean is full of mysterious creatures, many of which humans rarely get to catch glimpses of. A recent sighting of such intriguing creatures caused quite a stir on the shores of Visakhapatnam. The shores of RK Beach had unexpected guests, which included the blue sea dragons (Glaucilla marginata), blue buttons (Porpita porpita) and by-the-wind sailors (Velella velella) during low tide. Their colony may appear captivating but they aren’t safe to touch.
Local environmental groups, Wilded and the East Coast Conservation Team (ECCT), were quick to issue warnings to beachgoers. Vimal Raj from Wilded and Sri Chakra Pranav, Deepu, and Chandrasekhar from ECCT first stumbled upon them on February 28. Ever since, the creatures have been making frequent appearances. On April 10, hundreds of them were spotted again, but they had grown in size.
“Back in February, the blue buttons measured a mere two to three millimetres in size. Fast forward to April, and they have bulked up to about one inch, indicating some growth over time. It is worth noting that these creatures are not meeting their end when they wash ashore; rather, they are simply washing ashore during low tides, only to be swept back into the sea when the tides rise again,” informed marine biologist Sri Chakra Pranav.
While they may seem innocuous, these sea creatures possess a hidden danger. The blue sea dragons, in particular, have a knack for feeding on the blue button, the by-the-wind sailor and the notorious Portuguese man o’ war, which makes them potentially hazardous to unsuspecting beachgoers.
Pranav revealed that the dragons not only consume the tentacles of the Portuguese man o’ war but also store their venomous stinging cells for later use. This unique ability means that if disturbed or touched, the blue sea dragons can release these stinging cells, causing discomfort and possible allergic reactions in humans. “While the by-the-wind sailors and blue buttons may only cause mild irritation upon contact, there is a more menacing member of the blue fleet. It is the blue sea dragons that pose the greatest risk due to their venomous nature. Its sting can really hurt and cause welts on our skin if we touch it,” Pranav noted. It can also cause nausea, pain, vomiting and allergic reactions besides the darkening of the skin.
It is not just their feeding habits that set them apart. Unlike other snails, the blue sea dragons utilise their feet for floating instead of sticking to surfaces, making them an intriguing sight for onlookers.
These creatures, primarily found in the Atlantic, Pacific and the Indian Oceans, particularly favour temperate and tropical waters. While sightings on the west coast of India are rare, they are somewhat of a specialty on the east coast. They were spotted in the Chennai and Kovalam beaches as well.
Their first known appearance in Visakhapatnam was in 2012.